Trelleborg’s industrial anti-vibration solutions operation has supplied anti-vibration mounts to Kalmar, provider of cargo handling solutions and services to ports, terminals, distribution centres and to the heavy industry, for the world’s largest reachstackers - ‘Super Gloria’ - aiding it to successfully lift a record breaking 130 tonnes.

The increased engine power required for a reachstacker to lift such significant loads causes a greater level of vibration to travel through the vehicle. To counteract this, the two Kalmar reachstackers were fitted with Trelleborg’s engine and cab suspension as well as purpose built, heavy duty bushings for the drivetrain. The anti-vibration solutions are designed to operate in the most extreme of loads, to guarantee increased operator comfort, lower noise levels and reduced maintenance.

Reliable, safe and high performance components
Stefan Johansson, Director Business Support and Product Marketing for Kalmar Reachstackers and Empty Container Handlers, says: “As we grow the size and capability of our machines to meet customer demands and tackle even greater weights, our need for reliable, safe and high performance components increases too. Aside from the world record attempt, these vehicles are used day-in-day-out to lift incredible loads; one error alone could cause significant damage.

“We’ve worked with Trelleborg for a number of years and they have always delivered on safety and performance. They were the clear choice for vibration isolation solutions when building our largest machine.”

Custom-built design
The mounts used to attenuate the increased levels of vibration on these Kalmar reachstackers needed to deliver a finite level of anti-vibration performance. In addition, the bushings had to be purpose built to suit the larger axles.

Don Farbotnik, Sector Sales Manager - Specialist Vehicles at Trelleborg’s industrial anti-vibration solutions operation, adds: “The Super Glorias are so large that we couldn’t use an ordinary bushing design. Instead, a custom-built, heavy duty bearing was supplied. This removed the unwanted vibrations from the drivetrain and also guaranteed a maintenance-free joint, as the need for oiling or greasing was removed.

Kalmar’s Super Gloria reachstackers’ world record
“Playing a part in Kalmar’s Super Gloria reachstackers’ world record success is a great achievement for Trelleborg. We manufacture our components to the very highest performance standard, which means managing extreme loads whilst consistently maintaining anti-vibration capabilities. It is significant to be able to measure our products’ performance with a record breaking load of 130 tonnes.”

Kalmar’s Super Gloria reachstacker broke the world record on September 25 in Lidhult, Sweden. The vehicles will now be transported to Aviles, Spain to lift, in tandem, heavy wind turbine sections weighing up to 260 tonnes.